CGC Test Item 8: Reaction to Another Dog (& a moment of reactivity!) (Patreon)

Hey Folks!

Here's some super-candid footage I shot (not for this purpose) while I was auditioning this goldendoodle, Bentley, for a project I'm working on for an outside party. I needed a dog that was relatively biddable (aka interested in working with me on camera) but didn't really have any hard skills.

Basically, Bentley knows how to sit (most of the time), and mostly can follow a lure. All other cues are pretty hit or miss. Which is perfect for what I needed him for.

In this video I'm playing out what a quick progression of working through Canine Good Citizen test item 8 would look like. I'm basically testing if he can do it with a high rate of reinforcement, and if i think I can get him off of the food rewards on my body in a quick time frame for filming. (he passed!)

So you'll get to see a quick progression of CoolWhip (distraction dog) stationary, both dogs moving, both dogs moving and stopping far from each other for the handshake, and then the completed behavior (still with food).

Once I saw the playback of him reacting to the beagle next door, I though it would also be good to show you what it looks like when something doesn't go as planned, and I'm surprised by a dog's behavior (ie. I honestly didn't know he would react so I'm very much responding in the moment). Plus I know you love to see when stuff goes wrong :)

Happy Training!